Walsall confirm Mathieu Manset arrival on one-year contract

Walsall have boosted their attacking ranks with the signing of former Reading striker Mathieu Manset.

The League One club, who lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace in the second round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, have scored just four goals in six games this season.

Manager Dean Smith has been desperate to improve to his striking options and has finally secured the signature of Manset, who had been on their radar all summer despite there being interest from Turkey.

"Manset has signed," Smith told the Express & Star after their defeat to the Eagles. "He is here for a year or maybe two. It is pleasing because it was a hard work deal to conclude but it is concluded now.

"It was dead at one stage. We stuck to our guns and the principles of the football club but thankfully the chairman has been instrumental in trying to pull it back together.

"I don't think the deal in Turkey came off for him and he probably saw this as a really good opportunity as well and he didn't want to miss it. It was a mutual thing. We contacted his representatives and he had spoken to them as well. It was a mutual thing of trying to get back together and getting a deal sorted."

The 25-year-old, who left Belgian club Royal Antwerp in June and has previously turned out for Coventry City and Carlisle United, has put pen to paper on a one-year contract at the Bescot Stadium.